Twelve years of freshly steamed and fried pork, chicken, vegetable, and dessert dumplings–often praised as the “best dumplings in NYC”–are coming to an end at one of the East Village’s most iconic quick-bite spots.
Mimi Cheng’s has confirmed its final day at 179 2nd Avenue will be Friday, September 11, marking the end of an era for neighborhood Taiwanese comfort food and one of North America’s best cheap eats according to Opinionated About Dining (OAD).
The decision stems from the restaurant’s lease coming to an end, according to a statement posted by the owners.
Before you start to panic though, take a breath: this isn’t exactly the end of these doughy pockets. It’s actually just the turning of the page on a new chapter.
12 years of family recipes & legendary collabs
Founded by sisters Hannah and Marian Cheng, Mimi Cheng’s opened doors on 2nd Avenue in July 2014. Named after their mother, the shop built a cult following around authentic Taiwanese-style recipes passed down through generations.
While the sisters eventually expanded to four locations across NYC, the East Village original remained the true heart of the brand. Beyond their staple organic dumplings, the shop became famous across the city for its wildly imaginative monthly collaborations. Over the years, they turned heads with:
- Katz’s Pastrami Deli Dumplings stuffed with rye crumbs and Russian dressing
- Lucali Calzone Dumplings dripping with ricotta and marinara
- The NoMad Roast Chicken Dumpling, capturing fine-dining flavor in a single bite
Don’t panic, they’re heading to your freezer
For fans devastated by the news, there is a silver lining. The physical storefront may be closing its doors on 2nd Avenue, but the brand itself is pivoting rather than disappearing.
In late 2025, the sisters launched a nationwide frozen line, bringing their signature recipes to big name stores like Whole Foods Market shelves coast-to-coast. Moving forward, the duo is shifting focus toward scaling production so their dumplings can “land on a lot more tables than one restaurant ever could.”
This means that though won’t be able to grab a seat on 2nd Avenue after September 11, the dumplings aren’t going anywhere–they’re just heading straight to your kitchen table.
One final tribute: The return of the Emmy Burger Dumpling
Naturally, Mimi Cheng’s couldn’t close out 12 years in the East Village without resurrecting one of its most iconic dumpling collaborations.
From now through the restaurant’s final day, the shop is bringing back its most requested collaboration of all time: The Emmy Burger Dumpling.
Created alongside Pizza Loves Emily, the grand finale dumpling is packed with dry-aged beef, caramelized onions, white cheddar cheese, and crushed pretzel pieces, served with a side of signature Emmy Sauce.
If you want to grab one last basket at the counter where it all started, make your way to the East Village before September 11.
- Where: 179 2nd Ave, New York, NY
- Final Day: Friday, September 11, 2026